I.

Understanding verbal symbols

A. Language- a system consisting of verbal symbols and grammar that allow us to engage in verbal communication
1. A dying language

B. Verbal symbols- words (or vocabulary) that make up a language C. Grammar- the rules that dictate the structure of language D. Encoding- the process of putting thoughts and feelings into verbal symbols, nonverbal messages, or both
1. Putting our thoughts into meaningful language

E. Decoding- the process of developing a thought based on hearing verbal symbols, observing nonverbal messages, or both
1. Developing a thought based on hearing language

II.

Five attributes of words

A. Words are symbolic
1. The triangles of meaning!
Thing

Thought

Word

2. The word is NOT the THING, but a SYMBOL we have agreed to use to stand for it

B.

Language evolves
1. Words fall out of style
a) b) c) d) e) Petticoat Tootle-loo! Girdle Typewriter The bees knees Frenemy (friend+enemy) Googling Nunchuk (the Wii remote) Tweet (2011) New words in the dictionary Calling card Gay Sick

2.

Words come in style

a) b) c) d) e)

3.

Words meaning can change

a) b) c)

C. D.

Words are powerful

1. Failure, villain, bully

Meanings for verbal symbols may be denotative or connotative

1. Denotative- the literal, conventional meaning of a verbal symbol that most people in a culture have agreed is the meaning 2. Connotative- the meaning of a verbal symbol that is derived from our personal and subjective experience with that symbol 3. Examples denotative/connotative
a) b) c) d) e) Snake (1) Sister Reptile/sneaky, malicious

(1) Biological female sibling/close girl friend Politician (1) Someone running for office/liar, slick Red rose (1) Flower/love Sunshine (1) Sun/bright, happy

E.

Words vary in level of abstraction

1.

Words are often placed on a continuum

a) If a word is concrete (able to be seen, smelled, tasted, touched, or heard) you are able to detect its referent (the thing a verbal symbol represents) (1) The more concrete a word is the less possible references (a) Sport, dinner, brightness, music

b) If a word is abstract, its not able to be seen, smelled, tasted, touched or heard (1) The ladder of abstraction

Leisure

sports
football manayunkn sports or social club the gridiron gals
(2) When referents arent right in front of us we use the process of abstraction (3) Process of abstraction- the ability to move up and down the ladder of abstraction from specific to general and vice versa c) Strategic ambiguity- leaving out cues in a message on purpose to encourage multiple interpretations by others (1) Refers to how people talk when they dont want others to completely understand their intentions (a) Im not sure about that (b) Often used by political leaders d) Equivocation-type of ambiguity that involves choosing our words carefully to give a listener a false impression without actually lying (1) Thanks so much for the hat! That was so thoughtful of you! (2) Saying things that may be true but can be misleading e) Euphemism-a milder or less direct word substituted for another word that is more blunt or negative (1) Someones death (2) Adult entertainment (3) Restroom (4) (5) Thats interesting F-bomb

F.

Framing theory
1. Metaphors influence how people think at an unconscious level

a) b) c) d)

Glass full

vs. glass empty

Trial attorney vs. public protection attorney Government vs. Washington Janitor vs. Maintenance administrator

III.

Factors affecting verbal symbols

A. Culture and ethnicity
1. Culture affects language 2. Idiom- a word or phrase that has an understood meaning within a culture but whose meaning is not derived by exact translation
a) Phatic communication- words and phrases that are used for interpersonal contact only and are not meant to be translated verbatim (1) See you later! Hows it going? (2) Hey, how are you? How you doing?

3. Code-switching- shifting back and forth between languages in the same conversation 4. Speech communities- a group of people who share norms about how to speak, what words to use, and when, where, and why to speak (table 4.1) 5. Linking culture and words
a) Symbolic interactionism theory- says our understanding of ourselves and of the world is shaped by our interactions with those around us b) Linguistic determinism- says that our words determine our ability to perceive and think (1) If we dont have a word for something in our language, this theory says we wont think about it or notice it (a) Freudenschade! (i) Pleasure derived from the misfortune of other c) Linguistic relativity- says language influences out thinking but doesnt determine it d) Codability- the ease with which a language can express a thought

B.

Sex and gender

1. Widely studied, no definitive research on differences in behavior 2. Two-culture theory- asserts that sex operates in the same way as culture in establishing different rules, norms, and languages patterns for men and women 3. Do you think men and women communicate differently?

C.

Generation
1. One of the functions of language is differentiating in-group members from those on the outside

2.

A generation wants to distinguish itself from the generation before

a) b) c) Age cohorts that share experiences/beliefs Technology/emails Baby boomer grandparents

D.

Context
1. Contextual cues subsume all the other elements we have discussed because the culture, ethnicity, gender and generation of the people who are interacting factor into the context
a) cues b) Context- generally refers to situation, time, relationship, and nonverbal You have great legs. (1) (2) (3) By construction worker By track coach By doctor to a child

IV.

The dark side of verbal symbols

A. Verbal symbols are not inherently positive or negative
1. Determined by how people use their words

B. Static evaluation- tendency to speak and respond to someone today the same way we did in the past, not recognizing relationships change over time C. Polarization- tendency to use either-or language and speak in extremes
1. 2. Good/bad, nice/mean, right/wrong Most times, people/things fall somewhere between the extremes

D. Reification- tendency to respond to words or labels for thing as though they were the things themselves
1. If we refer to someone with a strong label, thats how we will respond to them

E. Muted group theory- explains what happens to people whose experiences are not well represented in verbal symbols F. Sexist language- language that is demeaning to one sex
1. Man-linked words- words that include man but that are supposed to operate generically to include women as well
a) b) c) d) e) Salesman Fireman Postman Repairman Mankind

f) g) h) i) j)

Freshman Manhole cover How many derogatory words for a woman? Man? How significant is the issue of sexist language?

G. H.

Racist language Homophobic language

V.

The bright side of verbal communication

A. Language helps us express confirmation, which is the acknowledgement, validation and support of another person B. Disconfirmation- a response that fails to support another, leaving the person feeling ignored or disregarded